Spellbound

I apologize for the delay in the postings. I hope that you enjoy and stick with me. I've been writing chapters for my other stories as well.

The characters belong to CH but the story idea is mine.

The ladies couldn't have asked for a better day. The two faery women enjoyed a day of shopping and chatting. So far, Claudette had walked away with several pairs of shoes along with the shoes that Sookie had to buy. She even bought two extra dresses to go along with the one that Sookie had to buy. She'd purchased an entire winter wardrobe and they were having the most fun. They tried on many different outfits and pranced around as they used to when they were little girls and they were trying on their grandmother's fancy dresses and shoes. They laughed and talked just as they always have. It was a great day.

"Want to go for a late lunch?" Claudette asked. "It's almost 2:00 and we've been trying on clothes since ten this morning. I'm tired of shopping and I'm so ready to eat. The fruit, sweet cakes, and coffee were beyond delicious but hey, this faery needs some real food. The snacks are no longer doing it for me. I need something to eat. What about you?"

Sookie smiled as she checked out her reflection. She was admiring a dress that she really wanted. She always believed that she looked best in soft colors and this particular dress was absolutely stunning on her. The feel of the soft fabric, as it brushed against her nipples, made her think about Eric and the way his lips would brush against the sensitive skin. He would love this dress.

"I stopped with the fruit over an hour ago," she replied. As she cocked her head to the side, she asked, "Do you think I ought to buy this? I've always looked pretty good in orchid. It's so pretty, don't cha think? I think that Eric's going to like me in this." She twirled around and admired herself again. "What do you think, Cici?"

"If you want it, get it. You haven't bought much of anything today. Orchid has always been a good color on you." Smiling at Sookie, she added, "I think that you should get yourself something nice. Just a little advice, though. You might want to go up a size or two. It's a little tight. I can almost see the print of your belly button through that dress." Claudette began to giggle.

Sookie stopped modeling and turned around to glare at Claudette. "Was that comment necessary? Why do you always have to be so insulting? And I won't have to go up a size or two. I wouldn't wear it right now anyway. It's a spring dress and it's October." Taking a step back, she took a quick glance at her reflection and asked, "Have I really gained that much weight?"

Claudette nodded. "Yeah, you have. Your stomach is a little … I don't know … paunchy. Don't get me wrong. It's not that big but it's not as flat as it used to be either. You've gotten wider in the hips, too. What have you been doing … drinking gravy instead of water?" She didn't giggle this time. She laughed heartily. "Drinking gravy," she repeated as she laughed.

She stared at Claudette with her mouth wide open and her chin resting prettily on the floor. She couldn't believe that Claudette had said such a cruel thing. Her cousin didn't seem to care that she'd hurt Sookie's feelings because she continued to laugh.

"You have to admit; that was a funny one." Claudette pointed at Sookie's stomach and started laughing.

As her eyes welled up with tears, Sookie gave Claudette the finger before walking back into the dressing room to take the dress off. She looked at herself in the mirror once more and sighed. She is getting a little wider. Her belly isn't as flat as it used to be but she isn't the whale that Claudette is making her out be. Even if she is putting on a little weight, she still looked pretty damned good; at least Eric thought so. They'd made love for the past couple of nights and he hadn't notice. If he had, at least he was too much of a gentleman to mention it.

As she looked down at herself, Sookie said, "You don't look like you've been drinking gravy. You look good regardless of what stupid, old Claudette thinks." She gave herself an affirming nod before taking the dress off.

After she'd put her clothes back on and took the dress to the salesgirl, Sookie didn't say anything else to Claudette. She was upset and she was hurt. They were having such a good day and she just had to go and ruin it. She knows that gravy isn't a beverage. She doesn't even like gravy.

"Will that be all, Mrs. Northman?" the salesgirl asked.

"Yes," Sookie replied.

"That'll be $485.00."

Sookie gave the salesgirl her credit card and waited.

Claudette walked up behind Sookie and rested her chin on her shoulder. "Are you really mad at me?"

Sookie ignored her as she shook Claudette's chin off of her shoulder.

"Here you go, Mrs. Northman," the salesgirl said as she handed Sookie her credit card. Sookie watched the girl as she put her dress in the store box.

"Don't be mad," Claudette said.

The girl placed the box on the countertop in front of Sookie. "Thanks for coming. And if you ever want to reserve the store for privacy reasons, please just call me and I will take care of everything." The salesgirl stared at Sookie's bodyguards as she made the suggestion.

"Here's my card," she said as she handed Sookie her business card with contact information on it.

"Thank you Embry," Sookie said after reading the girl's information. "I do appreciate you. Thank you so much for such great service."

"My pleasure," Embry replied as she glowed with pride. "Good evening, Mrs. Northman and Ms. Brigant."

Sookie picked up her box and walked away with Claudette trailing behind her. She wouldn't acknowledge that her cousin was with her. When the doorman opened the doors for them, Sookie thanked and tipped him as she walked on. He continued to watch the ladies as they walked away.

"Come on, Sookie. I was only joking."

Sookie continued to ignore her.

"You haven't gained that much weight."

Sookie stopped walking but didn't turn around to face her cousin. She rolled her eyes at the sky and exhaled. She wanted to tell Claudette to go to hell but she wasn't going to waste her time. She didn't deserve it so she walked on. Claudette hastened her gait in order to catch up with her cousin. She put her arm around Sookie's waist and kissed her cheek.

"I'm sorry."

Sookie looked at her and said, "No you're not. You meant it. You don't think about what you say before you say it and after you say it, you're suddenly so sorry for saying it. You hurt my feelings, Cici."

Claudette still didn't see anything wrong with what she'd said. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I was just making an observation and the gravy comment was a joke. It was nothing more than a joke. You would've laughed if I'd have said it to Claudine."

"Yeah," Sookie said. "It would have been funny then but it's not funny now. You said it to me."

She really started laughing then. "Oh, lighten up. It just surprises me that you've gained weight. You never gain weight. You've always been a size 8. Come on and forgive me. You can't stay mad at me forever," Claudette said. "You've said worse to me."

Sookie stopped walking and stared at her cousin in disbelief. "You tell me when I've said anything so hurtful to you."

Claudette stopped when Sookie did and started thinking. She placed her fingers on her chin and looked up at the sky. She knows that Sookie has said something that was hurtful when she didn't mean to be hurtful. She just knew it. She began strumming her fingers on her chin as she thought of the hurtful things that Sookie has said to her but she was at a loss. No matter how she pondered, she could come up with nothing and now she was going to have to eat crow.

"I'm waiting."

"I'm thinking."

"I'm waiting."

"I'm thinking."

Sookie huffed and started walking away. "You'll be there all day long thinking of the mean and hurtful things that I've never said to you. Do you want to know why? I'll tell you why. Because I've never said anything so hurtful to you," Sookie stated. "I've never said that you drink gravy."

Before Sookie could go any further with her rant, she and Claudette were surrounded by Sookie's fae guards. As soon as they felt their arrival, they were suddenly on alert. Though the guards were invisible, the faeries could see them.

"Is there a problem, Antony?" Sookie asked.

"We sense danger, your highness. We've searched throughout but could not find it."

Claudette's shimmer began to brighten. Her green eyes were almost glowing and she was ready to fight. "Why is it that you're just making us aware of this possible danger?"

Carson spoke up and said, "We've always been advised by the princess that unless the danger is impending, to remain calm. She said that she would let us know the proper time to react. She doesn't believe in unnecessary bloodshed. When she didn't say anything to us, we assumed that all was well. When she didn't react while we were in the store, we thought that she had it under control but outside of the store … the sense grew stronger. When she walked ahead without us, we knew that something was wrong. She would never do that. She has always sent us out ahead of her if the danger is more than she can handle alone. Since she didn't alert us, we took measures."

As his eyes stayed focused on her, Carson asked Sookie, "When you didn't notice the doorman make a call on his cell phone after you and Lady Brigant walked by, we knew that something was wrong. He watched you two as you walked away and you didn't acknowledge this. Did you not sense the danger, your highness?"

Sookie shook her head no. She sensed nothing. She wasn't aware of any impending danger that she and Claudette may have been in. This has never happened to her before. She has always been on alert. She has always been aware of her surroundings. In the past, she didn't need the fae guards to guard her. She always assumed that she was guarding them; that is until today. This wasn't safe. She was no longer safe on her own. Why were her senses down? Dr. Ludwig didn't mention that to her at all.

Claudette turned in a flash and looked in the direction of the store. Within seconds, she was gone and back again. When she returned she said that the doorman that took Sookie's $20.00 tip was no longer there. "Where is he?"

Antony stood tall and proud and said, "We have handled him, my lady. His phone has been confiscated. We looked into it but there was nothing there but we still have it. It's in a safe place."

"Good," she said to him. Claudette then turned to Sookie and asked, "Are you okay?" She placed her hand gently on her cousin's shoulder. It was as if she was waiting for Sookie to tell her something.

"Yeah," she answered in a weak voice. "I'm fine." Sookie was far from okay but she wasn't going to say so. There was no need in alarming her cousin unnecessarily. She smiled at Claudette and said, "Don't worry about me. I guess the good time that we've been having has taken my mind elsewhere."

"You're the worst liar ever," Claudette replied. "Carson, Antony; Sookie and I are going to the Essential Café for lunch. Contact three more guards and send them ahead to check things out. You two stay with us. If we are in danger, contact Colman and put him on alert. Claudette may be in danger as well and she won't be able to fight. She is with child and she too, needs protection. Upon sunset, contact Mr. Northman and let him know where we are and what's going on."

"Yes, ma'am," they said.

Sookie looked from the guards to Claudette. "There is no need to contact Eric. He will only worry and there's nothing to worry about."

Claudette ignored her. "Do as I say."

Claudette and Sookie knew that the orders would be followed to the letter. They knew that their guards were fully armed and ready to kill and even die for them if it came down to it. As long as their guards are on duty, the Brigant ladies needn't worry about their lives.

As Claudette and Sookie held hands, they could feel the energy as soon as the extra guards appeared. With Claudette holding her hand, Sookie was able to stay alert and focus.

All was quiet as they made the trek the Essential Café. It is the most exclusive restaurant in New York and it was only for the fae and their significant others. It was the most elegant restaurant of its kind. The tables were made of the most expensive woods. The floors were covered by the lushest carpets and the sounds of Fae filled the air; waterfalls, birds, and the winds. For Sookie and Claudette, it was as close to home as they would ever get again.

When the unseen guards opened the doors of the restaurant and the Brigant ladies entered, the maître d knew what was to be done. He alerted all of the staff. Though there were a few faeries waiting to be seated, Sookie and Claudette took precedence over everyone else. He grabbed two brand new menus from underneath the podium and carried them as he led the ladies to the private room that is specifically for the royal family.

Once they were seated and the door was securely closed behind them, the maître d smiled proudly. "My name is Roosevelt and I will be serving you this evening. I must say, it is pleasure to serve the ladies of the house of Brigant. If you need me," he said as he handed the ladies a golden bell, "you need only ring."

"Thank you Roosevelt," Sookie and Claudette said simultaneously.

"And if I may," he stated to the ladies.

"Go on," Sookie said.

"My sincerest apologies on the death of our most beloved queen," he said as he bowed.

"Thank you," the girls said.

When Roosevelt was gone, Claudette began to bark out orders to Antony and Carson once more. "Don't leave this room for anything. The other guards will stay outside the doors but you two will remain in here with us. Am I understood?"

"Yes, ma'am," they replied. Pretty soon, they were standing at the door.

Claudette then looked at Sookie and asked, "Why didn't you just tell me? I wouldn't have planned this day. You know how dangerous it is for our kind when we are in such a delicate state. You could have …"

"Tell you what?" she interrupted.

Claudette wasn't smiling and she wasn't in the mood for playing games. "Don't play coy with me, Sookie. We can afford neither at this time in your life. Do you realize what you've done?"

"I haven't done anything." She shrugged her shoulders and said, "I was going to tell Eric first and then you and Claudine."

Frustration filled Claudette's eyes. "You put your life and the life of your unborn child in danger. If you had told me, I could have warned you. Why do you think I didn't know of Lucian's plans? A baby uses a lot of our power; if not most of it. Didn't Elvin tell you?"

"Gran told me not to see him. He won't leave Fae for this realm. He hates the humans and I couldn't go home to Faery," Sookie replied. "So Gran sent me to Dr. Ludwig. She never mentioned that to me. I guess she didn't know."

Claudette nodded knowingly. "That explains why you didn't know but you could've come to me or even Claudine for that matter. Let me tell you something. Your essence is stronger. Your glow brightens. Your smell is sweeter and your heartbeat is stronger but your sense of danger is weakened. You can no longer see it because you carry a life that was made of love. It overpowers the evil and the danger."

"But Lucian … he didn't love …"

Claudette's eyes dropped to the table. "But I loved him enough to block out any of his wrongdoings." Shrugging her shoulders, she added, "Love made me blind."

"I'm sorry that I …"

"Don't apologize to me. You only speak the truth but trust and believe that I'll never make that mistake again." The look in Claudette's eyes told a sad story.

Sookie didn't like the sound of that but didn't say anything. She reached across the table and held Claudette's hand and asked, "What am I supposed to do now that I'm pregnant?"

"You can do anything that you like but you must stay alert. You can't leave your home without your guards or without Eric. This child that you carry is the first of its kind. There are no fae/vampire hybrids. Do you know what this means to our world? The power that this child holds will change our fate; our very existence."

Sookie understood all of that. It was inevitable. It was what she wanted. She wanted to have Eric's child more than anything in this world or in her homeland. This was supposed to happen. It is fate.

"Cici, there's something else. I never believed it to be possible but I … it hurts for me to be away from Eric. It's as if something inside of me is screaming out for him … constantly. It hurts."

Frowning, Claudette asked, "What do you mean it hurts?"

"It's as if something inside of me is …is pulling me closer to him when I try to leave. Just like today, when I was preparing to meet with you, it felt as if my heart was ripping in two. What is that?"

Claudette was speechless. "I don't know. Does it hurt now?"

"Yeah," she said as she nodded. "It's been hurting me all day."

Claudette thought hard and long but she came up with nothing. "I don't know. Maybe it's the blood bond. It could be that the connection that you two share is stronger. You are one now. That could be the reason. Whatever the reason, you need to ask him if he feels the same way. Maybe he knows what it could be and you also need to tell him about the shift in power." Pointing at her cousin's stomach, she said, "The shift in your power."

Sookie nodded.

"I don't want a nod, Sookie. I want an answer."

"Okay. I'll tell him."

"And you're going to tell him what you're feeling when you're away from him … tonight, Sookie. You're going to tell him tonight." That wasn't a question. Claudette didn't take chances when it came to her sister's or her cousin's life. They are all she has left in this world and she isn't going to lose them.

"I'll tell him," she said as she nodded her head and read over her menu. Sookie began to smile. "I sometimes have to wonder who the princess is supposed to be in this family. You sure do have a way of ordering me around."

Claudette giggled as she read over her own menu. "I've always wondered how great I'd be in that capacity. I think I'd be outstanding." Looking over her menu at Sookie, she added, "Now I know."

Both of the Brigant ladies were reading over their menus when Roosevelt walked into the room without being called. They didn't notice him when he entered the room but they did notice the smell of blood. When they looked at him, he was carrying the head of a man and he was covered in blood. Sookie and Claudette were soon standing; their blades were in their hands.

Roosevelt dropped to his knees just as the head of the unknown man rolled across the floor. The male fae had been mortally wounded. Sookie was soon down on her knees and holding him in her arms. Claudette was about to leave the room to fight but Sookie stopped her with a look. This time, there was no question of who the princess is.

Claudette wanted to tell Sookie to go to hell. She was going to fight but she knew better. This wasn't a time to disobey her. She knew when Sookie was being her cousin and when she was in princess mode. Sookie was in princess mode.

Turning her attentions back to Roosevelt, Sookie asked, "What happened?"

In the softest voice, he said, "We were overrun. We don't know who they were or where they came from but we got all of them but one. Unfortunately, he escaped but not before he was wounded." He looked into Sookie's eyes and said, "I tried, my fairest princess but alas, I have failed."

Tears fell from her eyes and onto his bloodied face. "You have made me proud, my friend, my brother." Placing her hand to her heart, she leaned down and kissed his cheek before saying, "In my heart, I hold onto thee."

Roosevelt smiled and it reached his eyes. He placed his hand to his chest just as he faded away. He was going to his new home; the Summerlands.

Antony, Carson, and the last remaining guard surrounded Sookie and Claudette. Antony said, "We must go. More are coming and iron is abundant. Bryson and Denton are gone. The ones that tried to help us; they too are gone. We cannot stay here and fight for we will surely lose."

"We can't run like fucking cowards," Claudette proclaimed. "Antony, you take Sookie home. We will stay and fight."

"You will not," Sookie replied. "You will come with me and nothing more will be said. There is no room for argument and if you ever speak of a Brigant being a coward again, you will be sorry. There is no cowardice here. We are using common sense. We will not die for unnecessary reasons. Am I understood?"

Pointing in the direction of the imminent danger, Claudette asked, "We cannot …"

Placing her hand on her most beloved cousin's face, Sookie said, "I don't like repeating myself. You know this." She offered Claudette her hand and said, "Now, take me hand and we will leave." The faeries were standing in a circle holding hands; waiting for Claudette to combine their power so that they could leave.

This wasn't the first time she and Sookie had gotten into an argument over running from a fight. Sookie wanted to find out the reasoning behind the fight. Claudette always wanted to dive in head first. She didn't care about the reasons. They didn't matter then and they don't matter now but she knew to remain quiet.

Claudette sighed and took Sookie's hand. "Forgive my insolence. It won't happen again."

"Yes it will," Sookie said as she laughed.

Carson looked in the direction of the door and said, "They are coming. We must go."

Just as the door to the private room burst open, their glow filled the room and the faeries were long gone.